We know that Trump is now on the hunt for every excuse he can come up with to lessen the blowback that is coming. He is looking for some justification explaining how it is that the “greatest nation on earth” became the global epicenter for the disease.
They will still use the old trope about China “hiding” the initial outbreak, and there will be some truth to it, but not much given the warning we had. They will use “impeachment”(!) as a reason that Trump couldn’t “concentrate” on the virus, even though Trump golfed his putter off during the endeavor. Republicans are already using the impeachment excuse.
But eventually they are going to run out of excuses. The United States will be left with the haunting words of Dr. Birx, that “100k to 200k” deaths might be representative of a victory “if everything goes perfectly.” (By the way, it is far more likely that Trump had them inflate that number by 3x. If the CDC’s actual number was 50k, Trump can call it the “Trump miracle.” On the other hand, Trump might’ve told them to cut it in half, so as not to worry anyway, and bet on a cure or vaccine).
As it stands right now, there have been approximately 36,000 deaths around the globe, and we are the most populous nation that currently stands far behind treating the disease. Very soon we will lead the first world in the number of deaths. Of course, part of it will be due to our large population. Canada has 35 million people, the United States has 331 million. Of course we’ll have “more.” But we will also have “much more” than any other nation.
It is downright embarrassing and terrifying that we just passed China, the nation in which the disease started, in number of cases! Of course, we also understand that under the authoritarian regime in China, we have no idea what the real number might be, and we can almost throw that number out. China likely does lead the world in deaths and cases. But who friggin’ cares when we have so much else to worry about!
These guys care.
Because of course it did… China says more than 1,500 people who were infected with the new coronavirus but haven’t shown symptoms were excluded from its national tally https://t.co/MkCfzm4XSC [1] via @WSJ [2]
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 31, 2020 [3]
They are trying to do two things. First, they desperately don’t want the American flag up top on the “number one in deaths” chart. So they are going to yell “do not trust China” anytime they can. They want that number doubted, or to have an asterisk. I am perfectly willing to admit, the numbers reported from China can’t be trusted, it could be anything. I am also perfectly willing to tell Don Jr. that no one here gives a shit.
But I do give a shit about him saying it. They don’t want blame on this administration and thus they’re going to do the “blame China” thing from now until things are normal – which is going to be a long time. The “blame China” approach has already gotten Chinese-looking Americans abused, even when the “Chinese-looking American” might be named “Chris,” who sells insurance for All-State in Jacksonville California and has never been to California, never mind China. That is dangerous and disgusting.
They don’t care.
Like everything Trump, they care about the brand far more than reality. If people get hurt along the way, well, that’s the way it goes. People have always gotten hurt by the Trump brand.
Do not buy that brand, ever. And don’t buy their “China” diversion, either.
****
Peace, y’all
Jason
[email protected] and @MiciakZoom